Irrigator



Sept. 12, 1933. c. E. ZIEGLERI 1,926,608

IRRIGATOR Filed March 8, 1932 mm 12 13 INVENTOR MZZJJ Q WITNESSES Malina- .zk gmdmyaw za l atented Sept. 12, 1933 UNlTEDfS'lATES Z I'R GA'ILGR 7 u Charles E. Zieglenfittsbu'rgh, Pa, ass'ignor to Clinical Supplies, Incorporated,

Pa., a corporation of Delaware Pittsburgh-,-

Application Maihs-, 19s2. Serial norssvasi 6 Claims. (01. 128-239) V This invention 'relatesto devices for irrigating the recto-colonand vaginal cavities, and particularly toirrigators provided with avalve intermediate the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, or nozzle, portions. p

A major object is to provide an irrigator of generally improved construction, which is capable of being sterilized without affecting its operative: ness or its efficacy in irrigating the rectum, colon and vagina, embodiesa simple'flow-controlling valve which positively prevents leakage, and is simple'and easily used. Special objects are to provide irrigators for the purposes referred to which havenozzles adapted-to effect spraying and to prevent premature expulsion of irrigating fluid from the organs being treated.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, of which Figs. 1 and 2 are longitudinal central sections through a recto-colon irrigator embodying the invention, showing the irrigator in closed and open positions, respectively; Fig.3 an enlarged View of the tip portion of the irrigator shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 a cross sectional view taken on line IV IV, Fig. 2 r Fig. 5 a fragmentary longitudinal section through the tip portion of a modified embodi-,

ment; and Fig. 6 a side view, on a reduced scale, of the invention as embodiedin'a vaginal irrigatorf A t .The irrigator provided by this invention com prises a tubular barrel and a stem mounted for In.

movement longitudinally within the barrel. its intermediate portion the stem is spaced annularly from thebarrel by an interior collar adjacent the rear end of the barrel, with" which the stem makes a fluid-tight sliding fit,;a:nd by a flange formed on the forward, or nozzle, end of the stem and adapted to'mo've within the forward end of the barrel. The annular space thus formed provides a conduit for flow of fluid'through the irrigator. Fluid is supplied through an f inlet formed longitudinallyoi the rear end of the stem and having lateraloutlet ports which are positioned to be closed by the collar when the stem is V in its retracted position, and to be exposed within the annular space when the stern is advanced to permit flow of liquid from the barrel. In the advanced position ofthe stem the flange moves forwardly sufficiently to open the forward endlofthe barrel for flow of fluid,- and "preferably the flange and barrel end are shaped to cooperate in effect ing a spraying action in a manner presently to be described. p

1 Having referenceto Figs. 1' to 4 of the drawing, the embodiment shown comprises a tubular .ends to nipple 6'and by rubber tubing 10 to a barrel 1 having'a collar 2'integrally formed with in its rear end. Mounted within the barrel is a cylindrical stem 3 provided at its forward end with a flange 4 which-moves within the forward endof barrel 1'. Collar 2 and flange 4 hold the stem in fixed" axial positionwith its intermediate p portion spaced from the barrel to providean annular passage 5 for flow'of fluid to the nozzle whenthe stemis moved to its-forward or operative position; Barrel 1 and stemB are formed of any suitable material adapted to be inert to the fluids which may be used. For example, they may be made from hard rubber, or molded from plastics of the syntheticresin type, such as the phenoliorma'ldehyde resins. A particular feature of this invention resides in the provision of a flow-controlling valve which is positive in action and whose operativeness is not affected by the use of hot-sterilizing liquids. For this purpose a nipple 6 of non-corrodible metal, such as aluminum alloy, is connected to the rear end of the stem. The nipple'is pro vided with a relatively short longitudinal'fiuid inlet bore '7 having at its forward end a'plurality of lateral outlet ports 8 which are closed by collar 2 when the stem is in the-retracted position shown in Fig. 1. The rear end of the stem is'connected to a fluid source, for example by means of tubular nipple 9'connected atopposite liquid container, not shown. Nipple 6 is connected to stem 3 in any suitable manner, as by cooperating screw threads '11, and it makes a fluid-tight sliding fit in collar 2, which maybe, and preferably is, accomplished by grinding in.

Flange l is of suchlength and outletjport's 8 are so positioned that when the stem is moved to theforward position (Fig.2), fluid flow is established from outlets 8, through annular pas-' sage 5, and outwardly from the nozzle formed by flange 4 and the forward end oithe barr el.

'By this construction the rear end of theirrigator ,the flange is constru'cted to cooperate with the 11169 tip ofthe barrel to produce a spraying effect.

This is accomplished in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to i by forming an inward chamfer 12 on the forward end of the barrel, and by providing a plurality of grooves at the rear offlange 4 to cause the fluid to flow from the nozzle in a plurality of streams. Preferably this is accome plished by providing a pluralityof longitudinal ribs 13 which slope downwardly and rearwardly frornthe rear end of the flange to form inter-= The ribs" are positioned so that the flange closes the nozzle mediate fluid-carrying grooves l l.

when the stem is retracted, and so that in the maximum forward movement of the stem' the' forward ends of the grooves are just exposedopposite chamfer 12, so that fluid flows in a plurality of streams forced againstchamfer 12;

uFlange 4 merely fits the barrel neatly, enough to direct the fluid through the grooves, afluid-- v tight fit at this point being unnecessary because .thus cutting ofi" flow of the, fluid and similarly actual fluid flowis oontrolledby the valve at the rear end of 'theirrigator. Preferably the forward end of the stem tere minates in an external offset tip 15 of such shape as to assist in inserting the nozzle into the or gan to be irrigated, The rear or oflset facelfi of this tip acts as a stop to restrictrearward movement of the stem, asshown inFig. l, and face 16a of nipple 9 acts as a stop to limit forwardmovement, as seen in Fig 2.

The .irrigator described isada'pted for either recto-colon or vaginal irrigation. Preferably the rear end of the barrel is provided with :a' lateral guard shaped'to conform to the anatomyfof the nal tip lis preferably shorter and 'blunter than in the case of recto-colon tips, as seen at 15a, Fig.6.".

The irrigator provided bythis invention may be used for anyipurposerequiring. instillation of fluid intothe rectal or vaginal regions, as will be-understood by those skilled in the art. Thus itmay be used for flushing the. colon orlvagina,

to medicate the? vagina, to-introcluce, drugs into the system where their" retention by the stom-v ach is diflicult, to apply heat to the female pelvic organs and to the prostrate r-or seminal vesicles of the male, or for othersimilar purposes. For

recto-colon irrigation the patient will preferably be either in anerect are recumbent position, whilefor vaginal irrigation the recumbent po- {sition is most suitable.

Therirrigator with the stem retracted toclose thevalve, as shown inFig; 1, is inserted into the cavity withlguard 17 in loose contact" with the external anatomy. The stemfis then moved forwardly to open the valve,-as shown in Fig. 2, to establish flow of fluid thjrough the irrigator. When the flow of liquid into the organ has expelled any air which it contains, the guard is pressed tightly against the parts to'seal the organagainst leakage. At the end of the injection the stem. is again retracted to close the valve,

preventing back flow through the irrigatorf If represent its best embodiment.

an extended treatment is desired, as in "applying heat or effecting antisepsis, the fiuidmay be retained in the organ forany desired length of time, the shield acting to prevent leakage and prematureexpulsion oi the irrigating liquid. The shield alsoacts to prevent soiling of the hands upon withdrawal of the irrigator.

The irrigator provided by the invention also embodies various constructional advantages in addition to the-operative features'just indicated. Its simplicity renders it relatively inexpensive,

and :insures durability. It may be cleanedand sterilized readily by removing nipple 9 and Withdrawing stem 3 from the forward end of the barrel.'- The valve is sturdy and does not wear in use or become warped upon being sterilized in boiling liquid. A furth'er advantage is that the grooves in the spray head are protected by the undercut edge of the barrel so that in giving a clyster they do not become clogged by the bowel contents; Other features will be recognized by thoseskilled in the art.

According to the provisions of the patent stattion andhave described what I now consider to However, I desire to haveit understood that, within the scope of the appended'clairnsthe invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. I claim: V t 1, A recto-colon and vaginal irrigator comprising a tubular barrel having an internal collar at its rear end, and a stem' mounted for push-pull longitudinal quick action movement in the barrel with its rear end making a slidable fluid-tight fit in said collar and provided at its forward end with a fiange slidably fittingjwithin the forward end or" the barrel, the stem being solid from its forwardend rearwardly throughout the major portion of its length, the rear end of the stem T 4 being provided with a longitudinal fluid inlet bore having a plurality of'lateraloutlet ports positioned to be closed by said collar when the stem is in retracted position, said collar and flange holding the intermediate portion of the stem spaced annularly from the barrel for flow offiuid when the stem is in its .torward position. 7

2. A recto-colon and vaginal irrigator comprising a tubular barrel having an internal collar at its rear end, and'a stem mounted'for longitudinal movement in the barrel with its rear end "making a slidable fluid-tightfiti'n said collar and provided at its forward end with a flange slidably utes, I have explained the principle ofmy invenfitting within the forward end of the barrel and terminating in an external offset tip, the stem being solid from its forwardend rearwardly throughout the major portion of its length, the. rear end of the stem being provided. with flowcontrolling valve including afiuid inlet bore extending longitudinally of the stem and having a pluralityof lateral outlet ports] positioned to be closed by said collar when the stem is in retracted position; and the barrel being provided at its rear end with a shield shaped to conform to the anatomy of the body parts, said collar and'flange holding the intermediate'portion of the, stem spaced annularly' from the barrel for fluid whe the stem is in its forward position.

A recto-colon and vaginal irrigator comprising a tubular barrel having" an internalcollarat its rear end, and a stem mounted for longitudinal movement in the barrel Withits rear r slidably fitting within the forward end'of the barrel, the stem being solid from its forwardend rearwardly throughout the major portion of its.

length, said collar and flange holding the intermediate portion of the stem spaced annularly from the barrel, the rear end of the stem being provided with a longitudinal fluid inlet bore having a plurality of lateral outlet ports positioned to be closed by said collar when the stem is in retracted position, and the rear end of said flange being provided with a plurality of grooves positioned to have only their extreme outer ends exposed in the forward position of the stem, flow of fluid through the irrigator being established by moving the stem forwardly in the barrel.

4:. A recto-colon and vaginal irrigator comprising a tubular barrel provided at. its rear end with an internal collar and having its forward end chamfered inwardly, and a stem mounted for longitudinal movement in said barrel with its rear end making a slidable fluid-tight flt in said 001- lar and provided with a longitudinal fluid inlet bore having a plurality of. lateral outlet ports p0: sitioned to be closed by said collar when the stem is in retracted position, the stem being solid from its forward end rearwardly throughout the ma, jor portion of its length, the forward end of the stern being provided with a spray head formed by a flange slidably fitting the forward end of the barrel and terminating at its rear end in aplurality of longitudinal ribs spaced peripherally about the stem and forming intermediate fluidcarrying grooves, said collar and flange holding the intermediate portion of the stem spaced annularly from the barrel, and the stem being moved forwardly to establish flow of fluid through'the barrel with the outer ends of said grooves'directly opposite said chamfer.

5. A recto-colon and vaginal irrigator comprising a tubular barrel having adjacent its rear end an external shield shaped to conform to the anatomy of thebody partsand an internalcollar, the forward end of the barrel being chamfered inwardly, and a stem mounted for longitudinal movementin said barrel with its rear end making a slidable fluid-tight fit in said collar and provided with a longitudinal fluid inlet bore having aplurality of outlet portspositioned to be'clos'ed by said collar when the stem is in retracted position, the stem being solid from its forward end rearwardly throughout the major portion of its length, the forwardend-of the stem being provided with a spray head formed by 'a I flange slidably fitting theforward end of the barrel and terminating at its front end in an. offset external tip and at its rear end in a plurality of longitudinal ribs spaced peripherally about the stem and forming intermediate fluidcarrying grooves, said collar and shoulder holding the stem spaced annularly from the barrel in fixed axial position} and the stem being moved forwardly to permit fluid to escape in a p1u-, rality of streams from said grooves directly opposite' said chamfer. 1 l 6. A recto-colon and vaginal irrigator comprising a tubular barrel having an internal collar at its rear end, a stem mounted for push-pull longitudinal quick aotionmovement in the barrel and provided at its forward end with a flange making, a sliding fit within said barrel, the stem being solid fromits forward end rearwardly CHARLES E. ZIEGLER. 

